hi

Before Ephrem starting crawling he was experimenting with saying "ma-ma", "ba-ba" (Russian for "grandma"), "da-da" and "pa-pa" (Russian for "daddy"). However, as soon as he started crawling he put speech development on hold. He does say one word a lot though: "Hi!"

The doctor said that this often indicates a very social personality. That is rather evident. He loves being around people, is very interactive, and is not (unlike his brother) afraid of loud noises. When Ryan was drilling holes in the cabinets to put in child locks, Ephrem came over to check out what was going on. Whenever I make smoothies in a loud blender, he always wants to be there as well.

Ephrem says "Hi" to everybody: the doctor, people sitting (all right, standing :)) around us at church, and even an occasional fly flying by.

Ephrem's year old stats

Weight: 22.93 lbs (52%)
Height: 31.3 in (89%)
Head Circumference: 18.03 in (32%)

one year old

Ephrem is one! The proof is in the cupcake!

ding-ding-ding

At breakfast on August 1st:

Elijah: "Mommy, what date is it today?"
Mommy: "August 1st."
E: "So, tomorrow is August 2nd, then 3rd, then 4th, and then - DING-DING-DING - it's Ephrem's birthday!" (Pause.) "Wait, when is Grandma Shannon coming?"
M: "On August 4th."
E: "Hey, that DINGs, too!"